Top 10 Hallowe'en horror movies

For those who want to spend the night on the sofa with a tub of ice cream and some toffee popcorn then Echo reporter Matt Jarram shares 10 of his favourite fright flicks to see in the occasion. Do you agree?

WITH Hallows’ Eve just around the corner, residents across Loughborough will be donning their best ghoul masks and witches hats to celebrate Hallowe'en.

But for those who want to spend the night on the sofa with a tub of ice cream and some toffee popcorn then Echo reporter Matt Jarram shares 10 of his favourite fright flicks to see in the occasion.

1.) Halloween (1978)

Before Rob Zombie got his claws on the Michael Myers franchise and re-made it in 2007 (not a bad effort), master of the macabre and Halloween creator John Carpenter created one of the best slasher movies to hit the big screen. There was something so cold and calculating about the blank-faced white stare on Michael Myers mask as he terrorised Haddonfield. What made Halloween such a success was the killer had motive.

It also paved a career for ‘scream queen’ Jamie Lee Curtis and a standout part for Donald Pleasance as Dr Loomis who hunted Michael on a number of sequels.

If you can fit in Halloween Part Two it is also worth the watch!

2.) A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984).

For me, this is the best horror movie ever made. Wes Craven created a truly menacing and frightening experience, which spawned seven sequels, a remake and saw the killer pitched against Jason from Friday the 13th.

Freddy Krueger, the son of a million maniacs, is torched by the parents of Elm Street, only to return in the dreams of their children in order to wreak revenge.

The only way to fight him is to not fall asleep.

The dirty hat, the gloved hand made of knives, the red and black sweater has turned Freddy into one of the most marketable horror icons of our time. Why? Because everyone has to sleep.

3.) Hocus Pocus (1993)

There is nothing more fun than watching Bette Midler (with wonky front tooth), Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as three witches resurrected in Salem on Hallowe'en night. This Disney picture is great fun and the perfect Hallowe'en treat for those who don’t like too many scares and jumps in the night.

4.) Fright Night (1985)

Looking for some Vampire fun this Halloween? Well forget the True Blood box set! This is a teen movie from the 80s with lashings of gore and great laughs. Horror fan Charley Brewster is certain his new neighbours are vampires and seeks the help of washed up actor and vampire impersonator Peter Vincent who presents a late night television show.

Writer and director Tom Holland went on to create killer doll Chucky in Child’s Play.

5.) House (1986).

What can be more frightening than being home alone and watching a film about a creepy house?

For me House executed the ‘surprise fright’ very well and the special effects are fantastic.

It was also one of my favourites at Shelthorpe’s Hollywood Video with the detached, melted skinned hand ringing the doorbell on the cover with the tag line – Ding Dong You’re Dead.

6.) Killer Klowns from Outerspace (1988)

Alien clowns target a small town in one of my favourite horror comedies of all time.

Shot on a shoe-string with incredible effects, this bargain basement movie, which made little impact when it was first released, became a cult classic for many fans of the genre.

It also must be a first for death by candyfloss!

7.) Blair Witch Project (1999).

It was the originator of the found footage movies and deserves a place on any Top Ten horror list. The movie re-invented horror – maybe not for the better as the found footage format suffocated our screens for years afterwards. Still, this movie relies on subtle effects and character building and paved the way for Paranormal Activity and my favourite found footage movie The Dyatlov Pass Incident.

8.) The Shining (1980)

Heeeeere’s Johnny!

No list would be complete without a Stephen King addition and this is by far his best book to screen adaptation. Jack Nicholson plays the demented writer stuck in the grand yet ghostly Overlook hotel with his wife and young son during a cold winter. Blood-seeping elevators, two demonic-looking twin sisters, and don’t even get me started on Room 237. Classic horror.

9.) Psycho (1960).

Hailed as the first slasher movie ever made about a boy that dresses as his mother to kill off the guests at the Bates Motel is horror at its finest. Anthony Perkins delivers a terrific performance as Norman in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic. It also makes you think twice every time you pull back the shower curtain.

10.) The House of the Devil (2009)

The only film to appear on my top ten from the year 2000. This is a fantastic independent movie from an up and coming director about a young woman who takes a baby sitting job...from hell.

Director Ti West also went on to make The Sacrement about a religious cult detached from humanity, which is also worth a viewing.

• What is your favourite scary movie? Do you agree with Matt's choice? Let us know.